Disgraced former Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault
A disgraced former Winnipeg high school football coach convicted of sexual assault and luring will spend 20 years behind bars.
It was silent in the Manitoba courtroom Monday as sheriffs led Kelsey McKay away to begin serving his sentence. McKay avoided eye contact with survivors of his crimes.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
The 54-year-old man had pleaded guilty in July 2023 of nine counts of sexual assault and two counts of luring.
“Mr. McKay abused children for his own gratification. There is no excuse for what he has done and there is no cure for the havoc he wreaked,” Provincial Judge Raymond Wyant said in a lengthy decision read out in court.
He sentenced McKay to a total sentence of 54 years, which was reduced to 20 years in prison.
McKay had been a prominent figure in Winnipeg’s football community, as a coach and physical education teacher at Churchill High School and Vincent Massey Collegiate.
Court heard McKay used his “considerable power” in the community and position of trust – having been described as a “father figure” – to lure and sexually assault his victims.
The victims cannot be identified due to a publication ban.
“You broke that sacred bond of trust. You took advantage of that trust. You took advantage of young vulnerable children for your own self and selfish satisfaction,” Wyant said, adding McKay psychologically manipulated his victims and ensured their silence through fear.
“You used vulnerability to your advantage in your twisted game. Shame on you Mr. McKay. Shame on you.”
Court heard McKay’s victims were between 13 and 18 years old at the time of the assaults. Many of them told the court they suffered with mental health, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts in the aftermath of the assaults. One victim died by suicide shortly after speaking to police.
Wyant said McKay’s crimes will have a lifelong and life-altering impact on the survivors.
“Like a thief, Mr. McKay stole their innocence and their childhood. Like a killer, Mr. McKay murdered part of their soul and their being. And in no way can Mr. McKay ever repay that debt for what he stole,” Wyant said.
Speaking to the survivors, some of whom were in the courtroom Monday, Wyant said what happened to them was not their fault.
“You were children. You were guiltless. You put your faith in the hands of someone you saw as a friend, as a mentor, as a teacher, as a coach, as someone larger-than-life to you,” he said. “It is my sincerest hope that each and every one of you and your families will find an important part today in your journey of healing.”
McKay’s defence had been seeking a sentence of 13 years and three months, while the Crown had asked for a sentence of 25 years. Wyant said while he agrees with the Crown’s sentence, he noted it did not take into account McKay’s guilty plea – a mitigating factor.
This ultimately led him to deliver the sentence of 20 years. The sentence comes with a mandatory DNA and sexual offender registry order, along with other prohibitions such as an order banning McKay from ever contacting the victims, and ever attending a school ground or community centre, and banned from seeking work or volunteering with children 16 years old or younger.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Danielle Smith facing leadership review Saturday to close out UCP convention
Some 6,000 United Conservative Party members are in Red Deer for the party's annual convention and will cast their votes today on what they think of Premier Danielle Smith's leadership so far.
Local sheriff asks FBI to investigate death of Black man found hanging in Alabama
The FBI is investigating the death of a Black man in Alabama, who was found hanging in an abandoned house, following a request from a local sheriff amid fears among community members who accuse local law enforcement of longstanding, unchecked misconduct.
Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.
India trashes Canada for linking home minister to Sikh activist plot
India officially protested on Saturday the Canadian government's allegation that the country's powerful home minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada, calling it 'absurd and baseless.'
The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.
Man says it's 'surreal' that officials euthanized pet squirrel Peanut
A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York state's decision to seize and euthanize the animal 'won't go unheard.'
Israeli forces capture senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon, Israeli military official says
Israeli naval forces captured a senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon, an Israeli military official said Saturday.
Americans in Canada cast ballot ahead of U.S. election
Stephen Winters says watching the U.S. election campaign from Canada as a dual citizen is like a parent watching their kid play sports.
Iran's supreme leader threatens Israel, U.S. with 'a crushing response' over Israeli attack
Iran's supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with 'a crushing response' over attacks on Iran and its allies.